Japanese word

丁重

Pronunciation

Romajiteichō

Meaning

  • na-adjectivepolite

Example

彼は招待を丁重に断りました。kare wa shō tai o tei chō ni kotowa ri ma shi ta

He politely declined the invitation.

Illustration for 丁重 (polite)

More examples

上司には丁重な言葉遣いを心がけています。jō shi ni wa tei chō na koto ba zuka i o kokoro ga ke te i ma su

I try to use polite language with my supervisor.

Core concept

Presents another person as worthy of careful, respectful, and attentive treatment.

Common phrases

  • 丁重な対応tei chō na tai ō

    polite response

  • 丁重に迎えるtei chō ni muka e ru

    welcome courteously

  • 丁重に説明するtei chō ni setsu mei su ru

    explain politely

Similar words

丁寧teinei: Showing care, politeness, or careful attention in an action or manner.
礼儀正しいreigitadashii: Following accepted rules of polite behavior toward other people.
慇懃ingin: Showing very formal politeness and respect, sometimes in an overly elaborate manner.

Definition in Japanese

礼儀を重んじ、相手に対して細やかで手厚い扱いをするさま。rei gi o omo n ji ai te ni tai shi te koma ya ka de te atsu i atsuka i o su ru sa ma

Word origin

丁重 (teichō) is formed from the Sino-Japanese readings 丁 (tei) and 重 (chō); the characters suggest careful attention and weight given to the person being treated.

Usage tips

  • A 丁重 (teichō) response can soften a refusal without making the refusal unclear, a useful pattern in formal conversation.

Other meanings

  • hospitablena-adjective

Opposites

Related words

  • 丁重さteichōsapolitenessnoun

Word lists with this word